With their offense struggling badly once again, the Boston Red Sox (27-33 SU, -12.14 Units) will hope to get out of their slump when they take on the Atlanta Braves (29-30 SU, +3.03 Units) in the first game of a four-game home-and-home series.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Red Sox have been terrible any way you slice it, though they have at least been slightly more effective here at home (15-14) than on the road (12-19). That said, they've been a miserable run-line team here at Fenway Park, going just 10-19, and that's a major part of the reason why they are also down over 12 units this season against baseball's version of the spread.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Rick Porcello had another rough go of it on Wednesday night, allowing five runs on 10 hits in just 5.1 innings in a loss to the Orioles. That's now four straight starts which he has lost. He hasn't gotten much in the way of run support, but to be fair, he also has a 7.30 ERA in that stretch.
Williams Perez is just 24 years old, but he has really been an effective starter for the Braves since he was called up. In a relief role, he gave up four runs over just a third of an inning in his first ever big league showing, but since that point, he has a svelte 1.69 ERA.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"What do you want me to tell you? You have to ask the manager. I am not the manager here. I'm just the player. I do what I get to be told. I'm not playing today, so I'm here in case he needs me later." – Red Sox slugger David Ortiz on his benching on Wednesday
SITUATIONAL BETTING
The Red Sox really need to be more effective with their bullpen. They have a 3.50 ERA, but they have been getting quite lucky from that standpoint, as their collective FIP is 4.29, third worst in baseball. The time is going to come when Koji Uehara breaks down again like he did last year, and when that happens, it might all come crashing down in Beantown.
PROP TALK
Cameron Maybin and the men at the top of the Atlanta order are really doing a fantastic job getting on base at this point. Maybin has reached safely in eight consecutive games, and he is batting .471 in that stretch.
What that's really setting up for though, is the men in the middle of the Braves lineup. Freddie Freeman had a tough day on Wednesday, stranding six men on base, but he is still the only real power in this lineup with 10 dingers.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Red Sox have some real issues right now. They aren't hitting the ball all that well, and their bullpen, though not shoddy, isn't great either. Porcello's head isn't screwed on straight at the moment either.
It's really all setting up to be a long day at the office, and quite possibly a long four days there as well for Boston. The hometown faithful will be sure to get on Porcello if he isn't pitching better than he has been used to of late, and that could see this game get out of hand in a hurry.
Atlanta 6, Boston 2
The baseball betting odds for this Monday game will first be available at BookMaker Sportsbook. BookMaker is going to have multiple betting options available for this televised baseball matchup. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, individual inning run totals and next hitter results. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
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